Iran reaches last 8, Iraq hangs on in Asian Cup
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Asian powerhouse Iran emerged as the first team to reach the quarterfinals of 2011 Asian Cup, after they defeated DPR Korea 1-0 in a second round Group D match on Saturday.
Iranian forward Karim Ansari netted in the sole goal in the 62nd minute, after he touched in Pejman Nouri's fine cross from the left flank.
Ansari also scored a goal 27 minutes into the first half but the referee believed the striker had previously committed a foul and annulled the goal.
Defending champion Iraq salvaged its hopes of advancing thanks to an own goal in injury time from the United Arab Emirates. Walid Abbas poked the ball into his own net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to allow Iraq to escape with a 1-0 victory.
Iraq can qualify by beating DPK Korea in its final Group D match on Wednesday, when the UAE plays Iran.
Iran has a perfect record and six points from two games, Iraq has three, and DPR Korea and UAE have one each.
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